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Syria say projectiles fired from Israeli territory

Projectiles cames from occupied territory into airspace in southern Syria

Sat, May 18, 2019, 20:32

Guided missiles seen in the sky during what is reported to be an attack in Damascus, Syria in January. Photograph: Youmiyat Qadifat Hawun fi Damashq/Reuters

Syrian air defences targeted projectiles fired from the direction of Israel for the second night in a row, Syrian state media said on Saturday.

The projectiles came from “occupied territory” into the airspace in southern Syria, state news agency SANA said, referring to territory held by Israel.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has been more open in recent months about targeting sites inside Syria that it says belong to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, both of which have forces aiding President Bashar al-Assad.

Residents said loud blasts echoed across Damascus late on Friday, as Syrian state media reported “enemy targets” coming from neighbouring Israel.

Israel deems Iran its biggest enemy and the heavily armed Shi’ite Hezbollah movement as the main threat on its borders.

Israeli officials, alarmed by Tehran’s expanding clout next door, have acknowledged carrying out scores of strikes during the eight-year conflict in Syria. Iran and Hezbollah have played a key role in helping Assad’s army defeat rebels and militants.

Tensions between Tehran and its regional enemies rose this week after attacks on four oil tankers in the Gulf, sparking concerns about a potential conflict between Iran and the United States, Israel’s closest ally. – Reuters